Hi all. Thanks for all of the kind birthday wishes. I had a very nice day and topped the whole thing off with a great dinner out with my own little family. The kids were on their best behavior, even going so far as to police their own snarky comments to each other "since it was Mom's birthday." Why thank you children. Momma loves a snark-free dinner.
I will freely admit that this birthday bothered me. I've never felt this way before about a birthday, and darned if I didn't fight the feeling with all of my logical powers. I self-talked, I self-encouraged, I self-medicated (just kidding there), but still...I was not a happy camper most of the morning. Part of that may have had to do with the fact that when I googled our newly announced English department head, I realized she's only about two years older than myself. This, coupled with my 40th birthday, just about laid me low. And I know, I have some good stuff going on my end too. But still, that's how I felt. There was no denying it. By the evening I was better. My kids were cheery, and Sterling was moving heaven and earth to show me a good time. I shook hands with 40 and wolfed down my steak.
I do have a nice, new morning routine, which includes surveying the garden with Parker. We step onto the back patio, watch Indie roll around on the wet grass, check on all of our little plants and comment on their growth. Sterling had been reticent to gush over my seedlings, so thankfully Parker has stepped up to the plate. I'm posting these pictures here mostly to document the garden...I call this...the beginning.
Do you remember that I planted those tomatoes with their stalks horizontal? My, how nice and straight they have grown. And the okra? Grew those from seeds. Parker and I are especially enthusastic about seed progression.
See for yourself:
That okra is so green and fuzzy and adorable. It only broke through the soil/gardening medium yesterday. I feel very protective of this little shoot. And yes, this is weird. Mid-life crisis, remember?
Those green beans are also from seeds. I wanted eight, but so far only six have emerged. I may have to replant. MORE FUN FOR ME!! And the cucumber I was so worried about? Fully recovered. Phew.
What you can't see are the zucchini and the eggplant. I planted eggplant last, and it has yet to come up, but I'm hopeful. Also, I have a whole packet of seeds and a long growing season should the eggplant prove stubborn. The cilantro needs some help. I've been picking off the yellowed stems, but it doesn't seem to be improving. Any cilantro pointers out there?
Bueller?
Bueller?
Your garden looks happy! Gardening is a great mother/child activity.....nice to have someone to share your enthusiasm. I am looking forward to some cornmeal coated fried okra or shrimp gumbo when I come in June. Lets hope for hot weather between now and then.
Posted by: rebecca Ellis | April 20, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Don't give your cilantro another thought. It grows like a weed and would take over your entire garden if you let it. It seems to reseed in the wind.
Posted by: Big Momma | April 20, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Sarah, Happy Birthday again. I love your garden. I'm having one this year too. My friend Carl is building me a garden I can sit down on, made of cinder blocks. Still pretty cold here so only good for peas and tough stuff like chilis. I love the herbs but will you actually cook with them. Like Rebecca, i"m ready for the okra.
Posted by: Mary Theodosis | April 20, 2011 at 09:34 PM
I have a card to send you - can I get your address? patton_ellen@hotmail.com
Posted by: Ellen Patton | April 22, 2011 at 08:16 AM